About Us    Contact Us    Homepage    Insurance     Servicing     Site Map    Useful Information    Write Ups
      Stock
New Boats
Used Rigs
Used Motors
    New Boats
Seafarer
Stabicraft
Polycraft
Horizon
      New Motors
Honda
Evinrude
MinnKota
    Trailers
Dunbier
Radio Communications
Licenses and Certificates
Under federal regulations, operators of VHF and MFIHF radios are required to hold an operating certificate; the normal certificate for recreational operators is the Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP).

Many Coast Guard and VMR stations provide this course or may advise where a local course is available. Operators of 27 MHz equipment are not required to hold a certificate but are strongly encouraged to obtain one for their own and other users' safety. Station (equipment) licences are no longer required for 27 MHz or VHF radios but are still necessary for MFIHF long-range radio equipment.

Equipment
Marine radios are essential and in most cases the only method of lifesaving by communicating with other boats, marine rescue groups and to receive navigational warnings and weather updates.

There are many factors for you to consider including:
the area of operations
location of local volunteer marine rescue group
the number of boats in the same area
your budget
size and type of boat

There are four main types of marine communications equipment.
1. VHF - this is the preferred radio for short-range communications. All large boats and an increasing number of smaller boats monitor Channel 16.

Areas with large boating populations have marine rescue stations monitoring channel 16 and 67 on a 24-hour/7-day basis. Weather information is regularly broadcast on channel 67.

Channel 16 is for emergencies or initial calls and should not be used for routine messages or 'chat'. Most areas throughout Queensland have a local 'chat' frequency or a common use rebroadcast frequency. The local marine rescue station can advise on this practice. 		GME VHF Radio
2. 27MHz - this has very limited range and, although better than no radio, you should check that a limited coast station is in your immediate vicinity before relying on this equipment for your safety.

Most marine rescue groups monitor channel 88 but larger boats at sea do not listen to this radio. 		NAVMAN 27 Meg radio
3. HF - these radios have a greater communication range if travelling long distances from shore although they are reliant on atmospheric conditions and to some extent on hull material. They can be difficult to operate without training and practice.

All states and territories operate 24 hour/7 day monitoring on the frequencies 4125, 6215 and 8291 kHz from 'Coast Radio' stations Cairns, Gladstone, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart, Perth, Port Headland and Darwin. Queensland HF services cover coastal waters to a minimum of 200 nautical miles seaward from sites located at Cairns (call sign: coast radio Cairns) and Gladstone (call sign:coast radio Gladstone).

Weather broadcasts are made on frequency 8176 kHz. Navigational warnings are also broadcast on this frequency at the scheduled times. All operators should be competent in the operation of radios, know the frequencies dedicated to distress and safety and be able to properly format and transmit distress and safety messages.

 TMQ MF/ HF Radio
4. Satellite Equipment - although relatively expensive, the range of satellite equipment and telephones provides excellent coverage and are the preferred long-range communications devices.

Training and operator certification are necessary before operating this type of equipment.

As the long-term future of HF monitoring by coast stations is uncertain, investment in this type of equipment is recommended for boats on offshore voyages. 		Satellite communications
Mobile Phones
Although commonly carried on boats, mobile phones can be considered only as a 'backup' device.

They should not be seen as a substitute for emergency radio communications as:
  1. The cellular system does not provide for distress priority alerting.
  2. Mobile phones may be out of range, have low batteries or become water-damaged.
  3. Marine radios are used to broadcast so that all parties involved in an incident can listen. Mobile phones call only point to point. If you don't know a number, you can't call for assistance even if the boat is in sight.
  4. Rescue organisations cannot use a radio direction finder to trace a mobile telephone call.
  5. Few volunteer rescue boats are equipped with mobile phones resulting in delays (and misinterpretation) while calls are relayed from shore.
In an emergency the most vital link between the rescuers and the rescued is radio communications.

Operating Procedures
Standard radio procedures are used internationally.

Routine Calls
Queensland has a large number of volunteer marine stations which, as limited coast stations, provide an invaluable service to the boating public. Boats are strongly encouraged to log onloff with their local station and update changes to location and intentions. Recent fatalities in Queensland highlight the disadvantages of not using this service.
When making a routine call to another boat or limited coast station, state clearly:
  • The boat/group you are calling (.spoken three times if communications are difficult).
  • This is - name of your boat (spoken three times if necessary).
  • Message.
  • Over.
Distress Calls
The distress call 'mayday' may be used only if the boat is threatened by grave and imminent danger and immediate assistance is required. For example, the boat is sinking or on fire. This distress call has absolute priority over all other transmissions and may only be transmitted on the authority of the skipper or the person responsible for the safety of the boat. Calls are made on distress frequencies (VHF 16, 27.88 MHz or HF 4125, 6215, 8291 kHz). Call procedure:
  • Mayday Mayday Mayday.
  • This is - name and radio call sign of boat in distress (spoken three times).
  • Mayday.
  • Name and radio call sign of boat. • Details of boat's position.
  • Nature of distress and assistance required.
  • Other information including number of people on board, boat description and intentions.
Urgency Calls
The urgency call should be used when use of the distress call cannot be justified but a very urgent message concerning the safety of your boat or the safety of a person needs to be transmitted. For example, your boat is disabled and drifting onto a lee shore or a crew member is seriously ill. You may make an urgency call only on the authority of the skipper or person responsible for the safety of your boat. Distress call frequencies (above) may be used for these calls. Call procedure:
  • Pan pan, pan pan, pan pan.
  • Hello all stations hello all stations hello all stations.
  • This is - name and radio call sign of boat (spoken three times). • Details of the boat's position.
  • Details of assistance required and other information.
Safety Calls
The safety call should be used if you wish to broadcast an important navigational warning to other stations. For example, you have sighted a large floating object that could damage the hull of a boat.
A safety call is more likely to be made by a coast station or a limited coast station operated by a marine rescue group and may include important weather warnings such as severe thunderstorm, gale and cyclone warnings. Call procedure:
  • Say-cure-e-tay say-cure-e-tay say-cure-e-tay.
  • Hello all stations hello all stations hello ail stations.
  • This is - name and radio call sign of boat or shore station (spoken three times).
  • Details of the warning.
You may make the initial safety call to ail stations on a distress frequency. However, you should change to a working frequency to make the broadcast of the safety message.

Equipment Check
Is the correct frequencylchannel selected?
Is the volume adjusted correctly?
Is the squelch adjusted correctly?
Is the RF gain set to maximum sensitivity?
Power supply - is the battery fully charged?
Antenna - are the leads and whip intact, not corroded, have proper earthing and connections in good order?
listen before transmitting.
Volunteer Rescue Stations (listed in order from south to north)
  Frequencies Monitored  
Call Sign Hours 27 mhz VHF HF Telephone Contact
VMR Point Danger 24/7 88 16,27,22 2182 07 5536 9333
VMR Currumbin am 7 days 88 16,67,22 2182 07 5534 1000
VMR Southport 24/7 88 16,67,22,81,82 2182,4483 07 5532 3417
Coast Guard Southport 24/7 88, 86, 91 16, 21, 22, 67, 72, 73, 74, 80, 81, 82 2152, 2524, 4125, 6215, 8291 07 5531 1421
Seaway Tower 0600-2200 7 days 86, 88, 91 16, 22, 67, 73, 81, 82 2182, 2524, 4215 07 5591 2948
VMR Jacobs Well 24/7 88 16, 67, 81 2182 07 5546 1100
VMR North Stradbroke 0800-1700 w/e - p/h 88 16, 67, 81 2182 07 3409 9338
Coast Guard Redland Bay 0600-1700 w/e - p/h 88, 90, 94 16, 21, 63, 67, 73, 77, 81 - 07 3206 7777
VMR Victoria Point 0700-1700 w/e-p/h 88 16, 67, 81 2182 07 3207 8177
VMR Raby Bay 0600-1700 w/e-p/h 88 16, 67, 81 2182 07 3821 244
Coast Guard Brisbane 0600-2200 w/e-p/h 88, 90, 91 16, 67, 73, 81 2182, 2524, 4125 07 3396 5911
VMR Sandgate 0600-1700 w/e-p/h 88 16, 67, 81 2182 07 3269 8888
Coast Guard Redcliffe 0600-2100 7 days, w/e 24 hours 88, 90, 91 16, 67, 81, 21 2182, 2524, 4125 07 3203 5522
VMR Bribie Island 0600-1800 7 days 88 16, 67, 81 2182 07 3408 7596
Coast Guard Caloundra 0700-1700 w/e-p/h 88, 91 16, 67, 73, 80, 21 - 07 5491 3533
Coast Guard Mooloolaba 0600-2200 7 days 88, 90 16, 21, 22, 67, 73, 80, 81 2182 07 5444 3222
Coast Guard Noosa 24/7 88 16, 22, 80 2182 07 5474 3695
Coast Guard Tin Can Bay 0630-1700 7 days 88, 90 16, 80, 82 2182, 2524, 4125 07 5486 4290
Coast Guard Sandy Straits 0700-1800 7 days 88, 90 16, 73, 80, 82 2182, 2524 07 4129 8141
VMR Hervey Bay 0600-1800 7 days 88 16, 67, 22 2182 07 4128 9666
VMR Bundaberg 0700-1800 7 days 88 16, 67, 22, 80, 81 2182 07 4159 4349
VMR Round Hill as required 88 16, 67, 81, 82 2182 07 4974 9383
VMR Gladstone 0800-1800 w/e-p/h 88 16, 67, 82 2182 07 4972 3333
Coast Guard Keppel Sands 0600-1700 Tues-Thurs 88, 86 16, 67, 21, 22, 82 2182, 2524, 4125 07 4394 4906
Coast Guard Yeppoon 0600-1700 Fri-Mon 88, 86 16, 21, 22 2182, 2524, 4125, 6215, 8291 07 4933 6600
Coast Guard Rockhampton 0600-1700 w/e 88, 86 16, 67, 20, 21, 79, 82 2182, 2524, 4125 07 4921 2266
Coast Guard Thirsty Sound 24/7 88, 86, 91 16, 67, 81 2182, 2524, 4125 07 4937 3155
VMR Mackay 0800-1800 w/e-p/h 88 16, 67, 80, 21 2182 07 4955 1558
VMR Midge Point as required - 16, 67, 81, 21 - 07 4945 1047
VMR Whitsunday as required 88 16, 67, 80, 81, 22 2182 07 4946 7207
VMR Bowen as required 88 16, 67, 21 2182 07 4786 1950
VMR Burdekin 0800-1700 w/e-p/h 88 16, 67, 80 2182 07 4783 1014
Coast Guard Townsville 0800-1700 7 days 88, 90 16, 22, 67 2125, 4483 07 4771 4831
Coast Guard Ingham 0800-1700 w/e-p/h 86, 88 16, 81 2182, 4125 07 4777 8110
Coast Guard Cardwell 0800-1700 w/e-p/h 88 16, 21, 81, 82 - 07 4066 8792
Coast Guard Tully 0800-1700 w/e-p/h 88, 86 16, 80 2182, 2524 07 4066 9300
Coast Guard Innisfall 0800-1700 w/e-p/h 88, 91 16, 21 2182, 4125 07 4063 2396
Coast Guard Lake Tinnaroo 24/7 88, 90 16 - 07 4091 4225
Coast Guard Cairns 0900-1800 7 days 0700 w/e-p/h 88 16, 81 6215 07 4051 2192
Coast Guard Port Douglas 1300-1800 Sat
0900-1800 Sun		 88 16, 81 2524 07 4099 5392
Coast Guard Cooktown 0600-1800 w/e-p/h 88 16, 82 2524, 4125, 6215 07 4069 5655
Coast Guard Cape York w/e-p/h 88 16, 82 - 07 4069 3400
VMR Mornington Island as required 88 16 - 07 4745 7200
VMR Burketown as required - 16, 67 - 07 4745 5157
VMR Karumba as required 88 16, 67, 80 - 07 4745 9264
VMR Aurukun as required - 16, 67 - 07 4060 6133
VMR Weipa as required 88 16, 67 2182 07 4069 7867
VMR Thursday Island 24/7 Nil 16, 22, 82 Nil 07 4069 2444
VMR Saint Pauls as required Nil 16 Nil 07 4069 4125
Site maintained by Leisure Marine: Saturday, May 17, 2008
Email any enquiries about this site to updates@leisure-marine.com.au
3242 Old Cleveland Road, Capalaba 4157, QLD.
Phone: 07 3245 5111 Fax: 07 3245 1263